Porcelain Veneers

Dr. Toan Tran at Mangrove Bay Dentistry in Oldsmar, a city northwest of nearby Tampa, knows what makes a smile beautiful. If you have aesthetic flaws that are bothering you, porcelain veneers are a conservative treatment and relatively fast treatment. A veneer is a thin layer of strong porcelain that can be bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color and shape. Dental porcelain is translucent and looks like natural tooth enamel. It doesn’t stain easily, and when veneers are applied, teeth become stronger.

Depending on your circumstances, Dr. Tran may be able to use veneers that are so thin they can be bonded directly onto the existing tooth surface without modifying your teeth. These are called “no prep” veneers. In other cases, Dr. Tran will need to remove a very thin layer of tooth enamel — as thin as the veneer itself, in order to fit the new porcelain surface and make it look as lifelike as possible.

When porcelain veneer treatment is done by an experienced expert like Dr. Tran, you can expect your veneers to last a long time. Often they will last decades. If a veneer becomes damaged, for example, if you have an accident that chips a veneer, it can be replaced.

Porcelain Veneers Conservatively Correct Various Imperfections

Color — When teeth whitening does not fully remove stains or when staining is intrinsic to the inside of a tooth, veneers are one way to cover the staining with lifelike results. Veneers are custom color matched to your preferred level of whiteness. Dr. Tran may recommend teeth whitening prior to shade-matching your veneers, so the porcelain color selected will blend with adjacent teeth that are not going to receive veneers.

Size & Shape — Veneers can be shaped and sized in whichever way is most flattering to your face and to produce symmetry when you smile. Dr. Tran can also coordinate veneer treatment with a minor surgical procedure to perfect the symmetry of the gum contours framing your teeth.
Alignment & Spacing — Veneers can be used to close small gaps between teeth and to make slight corrections in alignment. If you have large gaps, more than minor misalignment, or turned teeth, a course of orthodontics, with ClearCorrectTM clear orthodontic aligners may be the answer.

Sometimes Alternative Treatment Is Best

There are some situations in which veneers are not appropriate. If you have significantly misaligned teeth, a turned tooth, or a large gap, orthodontics is a more appropriate solution than veneers. If you have lost a lot of tooth structure due to excessive wear, dental decay or a chipped tooth, Dr. Tran may recommend restoration with porcelain crowns that cover the entire tooth. In some cases, a crown on a damaged tooth and veneers on adjacent teeth are the answer.

The Veneer Treatment Process

The first step is a complimentary consultation with Dr. Tran to discuss what you don’t like about your smile as it is now and Dr. Tran’s recommendations for your oral health circumstances. You may bring pictures of smiles you do like, as a starting point for discussion. It’s possible to see how veneers would look on your teeth in one of several ways. A model of your teeth can be created over which wax “veneers” can be placed; sometimes acrylic (plastic) or tooth-colored filling material can be placed directly onto your teeth to demonstrate the effect veneers would have on them.

Once the plan has been agreed upon, including the color of the porcelain that will be used, Dr. Tran will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel, if this is necessary. Impressions of your teeth will be taken, and Dr. Tran will communicate with one of our preferred dental ceramists with expertise in fabricating custom porcelain veneers. The ceramist will use your models to create your veneers in accordance with Dr. Tran’s instructions. During the few weeks it will take to create your permanent veneers, you will wear a temporary set of veneers and be able to function normally in comfort. When the veneers come back from the lab, if you are not already scheduled, we will call to schedule you for the next appointment during which your porcelain veneers will be bonded to your teeth.

Caring for Your Veneers

You will need to brush and floss your veneered teeth each day to remove dental plaque and ensure good gum tissue health around the veneers. Regular checkups in our office will continue to be as important as always to maintain your oral health. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, Dr. Tran will make a custom night time occlusal guard to protect your teeth and reduce the risk of damaging your veneers.

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Are You Interested in Learning if Veneers Are Right for You?

Dr. Toan Tran offers complimentary (no fee) initial consultations for just this situation. Call our Oldsmar office today, at 813-891-9898, to schedule your special time with Dr. Tran to learn if you are a candidate for veneer treatment.